Pears, McGee likely to miss Sunday’s game

Right tackle Erik Pears and cornerback Terrence McGee both are expected to miss the Buffalo Bills’ game in Houston Sunday, and rookie cornerback Ron Brooks was activated to the roster Saturday.

Pears saw a specialist Thursday to evaluate an injury to his groin and hip area that has nagged him since the summer. Both he and McGee are listed as doubtful for the game.

“They did something yesterday, they’re seeing if that takes any effect and then they’ll make a decision from there,” coach Chan Gailey said of the treatment by doctors on Pears, who had surgery on the groin-hip area in the spring. “We’re gonna see if he can move around at all between now and game time and then we’ll make a decision.”

Second-year man Chris Hairston is expected to take Pears’ spot in the starting lineup.

“I trust Chris a great deal at right tackle,” Gailey said.

McGee, meanwhile, has been dealing with soreness in his knee all season.

He played only 14 snaps against Tennessee two weeks ago, and he was limited in practice Friday. He had surgery last season to repair a torn patellar tendon.

Brooks had foot surgery just before the start of the regular season. He has been practicing with the team for several weeks, and this is the first week he is eligible to join the 53-man roster. Gailey said he expects Brooks to be active against Houston. Brooks, a fourth-round draft pick out of Louisiana State, is a speedster who could provide some immediate help to the special teams units.

The Bills made room for Brooks on the roster by placing guard Chad Rinehart on the injured reserve list. Rinehart suffered a significant ankle injury against Tennessee.